Refer Report
New Delhi : Sixth in battle Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was marching with her supporters to the capital Delhi to demand schedule status, was detained by police at the border on Monday night. But standing firm on his demands, Wangchunk along with his workers started an indefinite hunger strike in the police station itself. Wangchuk was leading the ‘Delhi Chalo Padayatra’ which started from Leh a month ago. Around 120 people from Ladakh were detained along with them on Monday night.
The walk is organized by ‘Leh Apex Body’ (LAB). LAB has been agitating with the ‘Kargil Democratic Alliance’ (KDA) for the past four years demanding statehood for Ladakh, inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, early recruitment process with the Public Service Commission for Ladakh and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargi districts.
Wangchuk and his accompanying activists were detained at the Delhi border for violating the prohibitory orders. They were taken to various police stations including Bawana, Narela Industrial Area and Alipore, a police official said. Section 163 of the Indian Penal Code has been implemented in the national capital. So he was asked to go back, but he stood by the decision, the officer said. He also informed that he was kept under house arrest.
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A representative of ‘LAB’ claimed that Wangchuk was taken to Bawana police station and was not allowed to meet his lawyers. Wangchuk and others had also sent e-mails to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah with official permission, but the correspondent also claimed that the information was used to detain protesters.
PIL against arrest
A public interest litigation was filed in the Delhi High Court on Tuesday regarding the detention of environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk and several others at the Delhi border. The counsel for the petitioners has asked for the matter to be listed before a bench of Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela. While refusing to list the matter immediately, the court has agreed to hear the matter by 3.30 pm on October 3.
The arrest of Sonam Wangchuk and hundreds of Ladakhis while peacefully protesting for environmental and constitutional rights is condemnable. Modiji, you must listen to the voice of Ladakh. – Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition
When I went to the police station to meet Sonam Wangchuk and others, I was stopped. This dictatorship is not right. Delhiites stand with the citizens of Ladakh. The regime in Ladakh must end. Ladakh and Delhi should get full statehood. – Atishi, Chief Minister, Delhi
The fundamental right to raise voice against attacks on our identity and resources has also been taken away. We stand in solidarity with the people of Ladakh. – Mehbooba Mufti, President, People’s Democratic Party
Source: Marathi